
In response to contemporary job consideration realities – such as Millennials wanting to live, work and play in vibrant, engaging communities – MFDMO is introducing Creative Chambers initiative, a grassroots-driven, pilot grant program to retain and attract creative industries talent in five diverse Michigan communities, including Grand Rapids.
The $250,000 grant allocated over three years from MFDMO establishes a formal partnership with the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. The goal is to foster opportunities for those working in the creative industries, including jobs in creative technology, graphic design, communication, marketing, visual and performing arts along with culture-centered and heritage professions.
“Engaging creative entrepreneurs, professionals, and industries to cultivate a community where everyone can participate and succeed is strategic work that will pay great dividends, said Rick Baker, President and CEO, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We applaud the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office for empowering communities in this journey. Efforts like this will make sure we are not only competitive, but help us win the race for talent that will fuel our future economic success,” he said.
Other selected Creative Chamber pilot communities include Ann Arbor/Washtenaw County, Detroit, Marquette and Traverse City In total, nearly $1.5 million will be shared among the five regions as part of a tailored approach to attract and retain the talent driving Michigan’s creative economy.
The grants provide incentive for communities to develop strategies that can be sustained beyond the three-year funding period. Further, the partnership between MFDMO and the communities aims to build the brand, “Michigan: State of Creativity,” as a means to cultivate a positive reputation for the region and state.
“Creativity is an essential part of the state’s heritage of innovation which can be seen from the automotive industry to the arts,” said MFDMO Commissioner Jenell Leonard. “Further building the creative economy is a central part of fostering the entrepreneurial spirit and culture that makes Michigan a great place to live and work.”
Considering the geographic and cultural diversity of the state, Creative Chambers offers a tailored approach to specifically attracting and retaining talent that works in the many creative industry occupations.
“Creative Chambers pilot program is a flexible, yet uniformed approach that requires community input to determine the best way to promote a region’s assets and employment opportunities for creative types while connecting to the broader economic statewide trends,” said Leonard.
The state’s creative economy employs nearly 90,000 people, according to Michigan Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of thos employed in the state’s creative industries are Millennials, born after 1982, and working in film, audiovisual and broadcasting; design; creative technology; fashion, garment and textile; advertising; literary, publishing and print; architecture; music; art schools, artists and agents; performing arts; culture and heritage; and, visual arts and craft.
For more information, please contact Karen Thelen, Director of Marketing, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce at thelenk@grandrapids.org and/or MFDMO at creativechamber@michigan.org.